Memorializing Maverick Artist and Mentor Manon Cleary
• May 3, 2012

Guests were greeted by a bagpiper as they arrived at The Arts Club of Washington on Jan. 20 to celebrate the life of art scene icon Manon Cleary. Manon’s husband F. Steven Kijek encouraged everyone gathered in the Monroe Gallery to “dig deep in your hearts for memories and speak.” When they met, Manon was active on the social scene and Steven recalled voicing some hesitation en route to an embassy reception, to which Manon replied “we don’t need social standing. We’re artists, they want us.” Manon’s twin Shirley Cleary-Cooper recalled their St. Louis childhood when they dressed alike and replied to “twin.” Jean Lawlor Cohen spoke of the irony of Manon’s fondness for sfumato or smoky light portraits given her long illness precipitated by chemical poisoning and too many cigarettes. Other speakers recalled her conviction that an artist must support the art world. Arts Club President Jack Hannula read his poem “Ode to Manon Cleary.” A caregiver said “she lived inside her private life like outside.” A mentored art student recalled her present of a book inscribed to him as “my window on the future.” The tribute ended with a slide presentation honoring a “friend, wife, sister, teacher, artist.” The ensuing reception was alive with memories. Manon and her beloved white rats were present in spirit. [gallery ids="100477,116570,116548,116564,116557" nav="thumbs"]

11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair
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Cherished pets knew it was a special evening as they escorted their two footers to the 11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair hosted by chef Todd and Ellen Gray and sponsored by Trade Center Management Associates at the Ronald Reagan Building on Feb. 1 to benefit the Washington Humane Society (WHS). Radio host Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM radio emceed, as guests enjoyed a VIP chef’s Tasting Room with savory bites from such leading restaurants as the Grays’ Equinox and Watershed as well as Restaurant Eve, The Source Brasserie Beck and Kushi. The general reception showcased desserts and champagne. The evening honors WHS law enforcement officers, animal control officers, humane educators and community humane heroes.
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42nd Annual Russian New Year’s Eve Ball
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The dress code for the 42nd Annual Russian New Year’s Ball, held in the Grand Ball Room at the Mayflower Hotel Jan. 13, was “white or black tie/Russian costume.” Princess Selene Obolensky led the way in the traditional “boyar” pearl-encrusted gala headdress. The evening included entertainment by The Washington Balalaika Society and Sydney’s Orchestra and The Russian Dance troupe. Noting that it was “not Fabergé but very close,” Princess Obolensky presented an award to Raisa Scriabine as a leading “defender of the child.” In thanking everyone who made the evening possible to benefit the “Children of Berezichi,” residing at the Boarding Schools for Special Children in Ulianova and Sosenskaya, Russian Federation, she happily welcomed the fifth generation of family to attend the ball, two-year-old great grandnephew Ronan Obolensky. [gallery ids="102432,121576,121569,121547,121563,121539,121519,121511,121556,121528,121587,121582" nav="thumbs"]

Red Cross Ball: DC in Palm Beach
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The 55th Annual International Red Cross Ball drew ambassadors, politicians, military and the very well-heeled to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club Jan. 28. Mary Ourisman, former U.S. ambassador to Barbados, was event chair. Jewelry and medals blazed on the dance floor and in the halls with table designs by Bryan Rafanelli — and music from a Marine Corps quartet and Peter Duchin and his Orchestra. A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Michele Kessler, three-time chair of the Red Cross Ball. Good sport Trump, by the way, donated $50,000 to the Red Cross, and his hotel group is slated to convert the Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue into a luxury hotel and conference center. [gallery ids="100489,117469,117443,117462,117449,117457" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Performing Arts Society Reception
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Disappointment that mezzo-soprano Susan Graham had a last-minute cancellation of her afternoon Kennedy Center Washington Performing Arts Society concert Feb. 4 was softened when Bonnie McElveen-Hunter informed Daren Thomas, WPAS’s director of leadership and institutional gifts, that the post-performance cocktail reception at her stunning Georgetown residence was “always on.” When Thomas presented her with a bouquet, she quipped, “Am I the entertainer?” As a former ambassador to Finland and chairman of the American Red Cross, she said her humanitarian commitment had led her to realize that “the arts lift us up.” She thanked WPAS president and CEO Neale Perl for his leadership in expressing the “generosity of spirit through music.” He, in turn, said that over his ten years with the WPAS, despite cancellations, “Our track record is very good” and urged everyone to hold onto their tickets because “Susan Graham will be back.” Guests listened raptly to Samantha McElhaney, who sang her signature roles from “Porgy and Bess,” concluding with a cherished spiritual. The hostess invited guests to explore her wonderful home and welcomed Ambassador of Finland Ritva Koukku-Ronde. [gallery ids="100486,117350,117317,117343,117324,117337,117332" nav="thumbs"]

Cultural Tourism D.C. Inaugural Conference
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Cultural Tourism D.C. hosted its inaugural conference entitled “Arts, Culture, and Tourism: Strategies for Success,” Jan. 26. The event included four productive workshops focusing on communications, customer service, social media and fundraising. Johnetta Betsch Cole, director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, delivered the keynote address highlighting the museum’s efforts to think outside of the box and market to a younger generation through the use of technology. Cultural Tourism D.C.’s annual meeting followed the conference focusing on 2011’s accomplishments. The Fourth Embassy Chef’s Challenge, which will be held at the Reagan Building on Mar. 8, was all the talk at the evening’s networking reception at Nage in the Courtyard Marriott. The annual fundraising event is a friendly competition among embassy chefs, which features international tastings, awards, entertainment and a world-class silent auction.
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Chinese New Year Banquet at Hollywood East Café
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Les Dames d’Escoffier, a unique worldwide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality, returned to Janet Wu’s definitely “worth a detour” Hollywood East Café in the Westfield Wheaton Shopping Center to celebrate Chinese New Year in grand fashion. This year’s eager crowd crammed the popular eatery, which prepared a seemingly unending traditional banquet with virtually every course bringing the promise of good luck. Imbibers had the additional pleasure of wines selected by Janet Cam, who is renowned for creating innovative wine lists which pair perfectly with the restaurant’s cuisine. Lion dancers provided wonderful entertainment. [gallery ids="102433,121522,121496,121508,121503,121515" nav="thumbs"]

AFAC Benefit Reception
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Arlington Food Assistance Center’s 2012 Benefit Reception focused on raising support for their Annual Fund while celebrating the successful conclusion of AFAC’s Permanent Home Campaign. The goal for this year’s gala was $135,000, and the funds raised at this event will allow AFAC to continue meeting the growing demand for food assistance in Arlington. Photos by Aaro Keipi, (http://www.aarograph.com)[www.aarography.com] [gallery ids="100608,100609,100610,100611,100612" nav="thumbs"]

Hungary Wins Embassy Chef Challenge
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Chef Viktor Merényi of the Embassy of Hungary took top honors at the fourth annual Embassy Chef Challenge held March 8 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Merényi served slow-cooked beef with transitional Hungarian accompaniments for 600 guests and a panel of celebrity judges. The annual event benefits Cultural Tourism DC, an independent coalition of more than 230 community-based organizations which showcases the city’s rich and diverse culture and heritage. [gallery ids="100613,100624,100623,100622,100621,100620,100619,100618,100617,100616,100615,100614,100625" nav="thumbs"]

Latino Student Fund Gala
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Ambassador of Costa Rica Muni Figueres, the honorary patron at the Latino Student Fund’s 12th Annual Gala at the Organization of American States, lauded the fund on March 14 as a fantastic vehicle for the vindication of the Latin spirit. This year’s theme “Color Caribe” highlighted Costa Rica with its Latin music, cocktails and food. Festivities benefitted the LSF’s mission to provide academic opportunities for students of Hispanic/Latino descent from pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade and to promote higher education and professional leadership. [gallery ids="100626,100627,100628,100629,100630,100631,100632,100633" nav="thumbs"]